Nadya King's Art & Well Being

Wayshower, wisdomkeeper; it is my joy to share information, inspiration and life tools with my beloveds, my family, my tribe.

As a grandmother, I have had many adventures, and years on my own process.

I absorb, then disseminate teachings, assisting both individuals and groups in rewriting their stories, and accessing their authentic selves.

It Is my joy to witness you as you are, and bring light to your path. 

Gypsy Rose Muse

She Listens Sweet & Deep

Intentional Creativity Foundation

I grew up in Central Oregon, in a home filled with stories, and music, love and laughter; and was always 'artsy crafty.' I was the 3rd woman in my family to attend Western Oregon University (OCE), following my Great Aunt Viola and Aunt Irel's lead. I studied Education & Music, science and art. My daughter followed the family tradition, 2 decades later.

I was the kid who drew in the borders of programs, and drooled over paint by number kits. I was asked to draw a camel for some Christmas art project, and later, was frustrated in my HS art class during our unit on pottery - in 50 minutes, it was hard to get my clay the right consistency! 

My mom had a great eye for harmonious line and color, and we tried many crafts. Like many women, she did fibre arts, knitting and crochet, and wove several baskets. When my kids were young, I had dolls, and drew paper dolls - few were published! I found I loved dance (I'd hated PE) and was 28 when I began studying ballet. 

A few years later, we moved from Corvallis to McMinnville, and loved down the block from my in-laws, in the family neighborhood. I was fortunate to study massage therapy with Maestra Jeanne Christensen. In 1983,  Jeanne, two other therapists and I co-founded Key to Health Massage. 

I followed my childhood years of camping and love of trees and the natural world to live and offer massage therapy at a rustic retreat, Breitenbush Hot Springs in the early to mid 90s. It was there I became a Reiki Master, and began offering Reiki classes, and later Tai Chi. 

Stary nights, soaks in the springs, a constant flow of new folks to share sessions, organic meals and conversation with, and a wonderful community of kindred souls brought many priceless experiences. I had a plot in the garden, and loved my daily commute across the foot bridge. 

When a Harper friend visited, I realized I wanted to take up the folk harp, and on her recommendation, had one built for me by Corvallis Luthier, Dave Thormahlen. I learned to play Tuilleadh, (to give "in full measure") by  sunlight and moonlight, and  was soon asked to share music at some community events.

It was much more satisfying to play harp than piano has ever been, those years of childhood lessons and theory were a wonderful foundation for self study, supported by mini lessons when Harpers visited the springs! I wrote some of my own tunes, and began accumulating harp music.

The ocean drew me next, and I spent two years in a friend's beach house in Neskoin. I enjoyed a year's sabbatical from massage, and deepened with Reiki and a new spiritual community. I was invited to play harp in the Celtic Blarney Rose band, which met Monday evenings at the Blarney Castle (pub) in nearby Rose Lodge. 

Then my grown kids each married, so the thought of  being ready for grandchildren drew me back to the valley. After several years practicing bodywork in other spaces, in 2002 I returned to the clinic I co-founded 20 years prior!

After coming back to the valley, I began playing harp for weddings and events, and took ballroom dance classes, and later, round and square dancing! I'd barely finished  the basic lessons when my college roomie invited me to sing with an all girls' calling group, Girls Night Out! (it would have been easier if I'd had more time to integrate the patterns first ... Kind of like put paintings!) 

I ordered a larger harp in 2007, Rowan Luchair, from East Coast luthier Rick Kemper, which I most commonly play for events and weddings.

There were indeed grandchildren (7!) and I alternated  offering bodywork sessions with childcare for many years. I'm a only child, and my grandmothers passed before my parents married, so I knew I wanted to be involved in my own Grands' lives!

I was was the family classroom volunteer for the wonderful art based co-op Playschool which 3  of them attended. When the younger two were going, I was led to  my first Intentional Creativity workshop, and enrolled in Color of Woman in 2015, and graduated that fall. I painted up a screen!

After graduation, I began offering a monthly creative circle and teaching classes in addition to offering bodywork sessions and playing harp.

* Nadya may be found tucked up with a favorite book, tickling the harp strings, or wandering in her garden, sprinkled with faery dust & sunshine! She'd love to share a cup of tea and stories!

'Step into the flow and listen to your own heart longings and song. Move forward, singing the songs of your ancestors, unfolding and evolving, ever ancient, ever new! May you be blessed!' - message received while painting

My forth painting from the  teacher training, 'Firekeeper,' is included in this Slide Show of works from our class. I have been represented by two local galleries, and my work is available for sale.  And my more recent 'Crystalline HeArt Song' is in the CODEX show in Musea.

Visit my YouTube channel!

Enjoy a virtual conversation interspersed with my intuitive art and music in this YouTube episode of Speaking Frankly

Past Shows:

* Artist and teacher at MECA Gallery 2019-2020

* Artist at Gallery at 10 Oaks  2016-2019

* Featured Artist · Gallery at 10 Oaks Sept 2017

* Walnut City Wineworks Nov/Dec  2015 & 2016

* Inner Oasis: 2015